The conference was aimed at discussing current affairs and perspectives of the national system of human rights protection in Uzbekistan and introduction of international human rights standards into national legislation. Over 50 representatives of state bodies, NGOs, international organizations and mass media participated in the event. This is the first event dedicated to the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Uzbekistan.

Akmal Saidov, director of National Human Rights Center, noted the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights documents. He underlined that Uzbekistan created its national system of protection of human rights, which includes state bodies and institutes of civic society.

Mr Saidov noted that the system serves to protection and promotion of the rights, declared in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Kyoko Postill, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, said: "Human rights and human development are profoundly tied and lie at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). … Approaches to achieve the MDGs must be based on human rights, with attention not only to development results, but also to the ways in which development is pursued."

She welcomed the important decision of the Government of Uzbekistan to abolish the death penalty and delegate the right to sanction arrests to courts from January 2008. "However, as in each country in the world, there is still a need for further improvement, especially in translating the international commitment into the national legislation, the actual implementation of the enacted law, and in fully empowering the civil society to work effectively in advocating human rights," she said.

On 10 December 1948 the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a historic milestone in the evolution of our common understanding, and affirmation, of values we deem inviolable: that all human beings are born free and with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms!

The Declaration, for the first time, set out universal human rights for all people in an individual context, thanks to extraordinary vision and determination of the drafters. Now available in more than 360 languages (including the Uzbek language), the Declaration is the most translated document in the world -- a testament to its universal nature and reach. It has inspired the constitutions of many newly independent States and many new democracies.

The UN launched a year-long commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 2007. The entire UN family will take part in a campaign to promote the Declaration’s ideals and principles of justice and equality for everyone. UNDP Uzbekistan also plans to support and organize various events to contribute to commemoration of the anniversary of the Declaration.